Chicago-area resources for trans women, especially social resources
May 30, 2019 7:10 AM Subscribe
I have an older trans woman friend in the Chicago area who would like to be able to meet people and make friends, but is having trouble. She's looking both for trans friends and for trans-friendly groups/spaces/people. While she can commute into the city, she's in the western suburbs.
She is retirement-age and pretty introverted, and not all of her friends were really great about the transition so I think she's gotten a bit lonely.
She is a good musician, has science and tech experience, enjoys fashion and likes Golden Age/hard science fiction. She also likes cats. Her health is such that it's difficult for her to commit either to really vigorous stuff or to "I will absolutely be there every week" stuff.
Basically, she'd like to meet nice people, at least some of whom she can talk to about trans-specific stuff because she doesn't get a lot of opportunities for that kind of conversation in her daily life.
I think she's looking for something a little structured rather than a drop-in center - something where she can get to know people more.
What's out there? I can do a quick google for stuff, but so can she...it's more that she's looking for things people can recommend from experience/word-of-mouth.
She is retirement-age and pretty introverted, and not all of her friends were really great about the transition so I think she's gotten a bit lonely.
She is a good musician, has science and tech experience, enjoys fashion and likes Golden Age/hard science fiction. She also likes cats. Her health is such that it's difficult for her to commit either to really vigorous stuff or to "I will absolutely be there every week" stuff.
Basically, she'd like to meet nice people, at least some of whom she can talk to about trans-specific stuff because she doesn't get a lot of opportunities for that kind of conversation in her daily life.
I think she's looking for something a little structured rather than a drop-in center - something where she can get to know people more.
What's out there? I can do a quick google for stuff, but so can she...it's more that she's looking for things people can recommend from experience/word-of-mouth.
The center on halsted has lots of social groups I'm not sure what they specifically are doing now, some stuff is more structured than others.
posted by AlexiaSky at 7:24 AM on May 30, 2019
posted by AlexiaSky at 7:24 AM on May 30, 2019
If she's into sci-fi, does she have any overlap with board gaming or CCGs? If so, there are a few game shops that have open game times. Dice Dojo would be a friendly choice, as would Da Sorce, both in the city. The Center on Halsted has a Center on Addison for LGBT seniors. If your friend has needs related to 12-step recovery, the NTAC is the place to be.
posted by juniperesque at 7:38 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by juniperesque at 7:38 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
Good musician, you say? OUT ROCK SONGBANG at Old Town School of Folk Music.
Center on Halsted definitely has events and program committees that might suit her. Easy to get to from the burbs and has a parking garage if she'd prefer not to take transit (but it's very near the Red line).
Their mailing list also covers queer events not at the Center (like when a nearby gallery had a huge AIDS activist exhibit, Center on Halsted included it in all their mailings) which might help her connect.
She might check out Brave Space Alliance as well. Even though they are definitely more focused on drop-on programming, social services and activism, they know what social spaces and programming exists in the city and might be able to help her find something that sounds like a good match.
posted by crush at 8:44 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
Center on Halsted definitely has events and program committees that might suit her. Easy to get to from the burbs and has a parking garage if she'd prefer not to take transit (but it's very near the Red line).
Their mailing list also covers queer events not at the Center (like when a nearby gallery had a huge AIDS activist exhibit, Center on Halsted included it in all their mailings) which might help her connect.
She might check out Brave Space Alliance as well. Even though they are definitely more focused on drop-on programming, social services and activism, they know what social spaces and programming exists in the city and might be able to help her find something that sounds like a good match.
posted by crush at 8:44 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
Huh, I see the SongBang link does not show the critical date info
Out Rock Songbag
Intermediate
$20 ($18 members)
Fri. June 28, 7:30 PM – 8:50 PM · 4545 N Lincoln Ave
posted by crush at 8:45 AM on May 30, 2019
Out Rock Songbag
Intermediate
$20 ($18 members)
Fri. June 28, 7:30 PM – 8:50 PM · 4545 N Lincoln Ave
posted by crush at 8:45 AM on May 30, 2019
If she has any interest in Christianity, she might consider the Metropolitan Community Church. I have a family member who has attended the one at 7366 N. Clark Street, Chicago, when she's in town and really likes the people there. I've only been to affiliated churches in other cities, but they've all been mighty welcoming and entirely trans-friendly. (They even welcome the occasional straight, cis atheist like me who doesn't know any of the hymns.) It looks like there's another affiliate in Brookfield, but I don't know anything about it. Even if she's not into the religion, it might be worth getting on the mailing list. At least in other cities, it often includes blurbs advertising secular community events.
Note that there's another church with a nearly identical name on S. 47th Street in Chicago that is entirely unrelated and appears to be much less specifically LGBT-focused.
posted by eotvos at 10:26 AM on May 30, 2019
Note that there's another church with a nearly identical name on S. 47th Street in Chicago that is entirely unrelated and appears to be much less specifically LGBT-focused.
posted by eotvos at 10:26 AM on May 30, 2019
I don't know how easy it would be for your friend to get there, but Women and Children First in Andersonville has a number of book groups, including one geared toward older women. While it's a feminist space, it's not a TERFy one, to the best of my knowledge (one of their booksellers is a noted trans writer, and they've held a number of book launches for other local trans writers).
posted by carrienation at 9:13 AM on May 31, 2019
posted by carrienation at 9:13 AM on May 31, 2019
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posted by Fig at 7:20 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]